Adults marriage- no one can interfere

Hearing a request to ban family killings over “dishonor”, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra today said when two adults marry, no one has the right to interfere.

“Whether it is parents, society or anyone, they are out of it. No one, either individual or collective, or group, has the right to interfere with the marriage,” said the Chief Justice.

The Supreme Court was speaking on a petition by non-profit Shakti Vahini, which has asked for a ban on such crimes and on “khap panchayats” or self-appointed village courts in parts of north India, especially Haryana.

They believe it is their duty to protect medieval-era traditions and act like a law unto themselves while “punishing” couples who marry against their families’ wishes.